2019 SEASON

TRUE NORTH

VALE: MERV WAY
(17/7/1931- 17/5/2019)

The North Adelaide Football Club must sadly inform members of the passing of another of the 1952 Grand Final team, Mervyn Way, at the age of 87.

Merv came to the notice of the club when, as one of its younger members in December 1951, it congratulated him for “his brilliant effort in winning both the Commemoration Day Sheffield and Glenelg Sprint on December 28”.

The following year Merv made his debut in Round 12 against Norwood and then in only his fourth and fifth league games he played in North’s winning Second Semi Final and Grand Final wins. It was reported that “Merv quickly left no doubt about his ability with two fine performances against very accomplished opponents. It was a fine beginning by a neat and speedy footballer.”

Merv won the B-Grade Most Improved Player award and an A-Grade Serviceable Player award in that year, a rare feat.

As a part of the winning Grand Final team it is believed he was the man who kicked the ball to Ian Mackay for that memorable mark.

Subsequent years were not as favourable for the speedy wingman. In 1954 the club recalls:

“Surely Merv must be the unluckiest player wearing our colours. Commencing the season in brilliant fashion, he met with a nasty accident at Unley, and broke his jaw. On his return to the game at the end of the season, playing at Prospect against Norwood, Merv collided with another player and broke his nose. Next year, when Dame Fortune smiles more kindly upon him, this fine player will, by his courageous play, win a permanent position in our senior side.”

However the next year was to be Merv’s last at the club even though, “payed centre wing with speed and courage. Merv gave us several very good games-his effort against Torrens being a real gem”.

He prematurely retired from league football at the age of 24 having played 37 games from 1952-55, then continued with a golfing career.

Statewide Super Women’s League Grand Final

The stage is set as South Adelaide prepares to defend its crown against a surprise opponent in Sunday’s Statewide Super Women’s League Grand Final at ACH Group Stadium.

Earning a direct path through to the title-decider after toppling minor premier Norwood in the Second Semi-Final, the Panthers watched on as North Adelaide edged the Redlegs out in straight sets with a dramatic two-point win in Friday’s Preliminary Final.

Can the Roosters, who began the season with a concerning 1-3 win-loss record, continue their stunning run by winning their ninth consecutive match in the most important encounter for the season?

North’s last loss – which was to the Panthers in Round 4 – seemed to stir Matthew Slade’s charges into action.

On that occasion in March, the only time the two Grand Final combatants have met this year, the Roosters burst out of the blocks to kick the first four goals of the game.

But the Panthers, spurred on by their Navy Blue faithful at Flinders University Stadium, produced a remarkable comeback which finished with Nicole Campbell booting the winning goal with less than 10 seconds left on the clock in the final term.

Campbell, Czenya Cavouras and Crows-listed Nikki Gore provide plenty of ball-winning ability for South, which had mentor Rick Watts named as the Coach in The Advertiser SANFL Women’s Team of the Year.

Sweating on the availability of captain Lauren Buchanan, who has been sidelined since Round 8 with a knee injury, the Panthers will also get plenty of drive from fleet-footed youngsters Hannah Munyard, Teah Charlton and last year’s Best Afield Medallist Cheyenne Hammond.

But can South stop the competition’s leading goal kicker, Kelly Barltrop, from being the difference-maker?

North’s spearhead has been near unstoppable at full forward en route to kicking 26 goals throughout the minor round.

The Roosters have plenty of other weapons, with speedy wingers Paige Allan and Erica Greet vitally important to matching South on the outside while Lauren Daniel, Kat Reynolds and co-captain Leah Tynan will do plenty of work on the inside of the contest.

Coach Slade also boasts one of the wildcards of the competition in co-skipper Nadia Von Bertouch, who can play a variety of roles – even in the ruck – depending on the game’s situation.

Throw into the mix the older generation in Jane Altschwager (North) tackling the younger generation in Montana McKinnon (South) in the ruck and this contest looms as a salivating one to conclude the Statewide Super Women’s League in 2019.

North Adelaide co-captain Nadia Von Bertouch was chosen to skipper the talented outfit after leading her Roosters into the 2019 title-decider while Norwood’s Najwa Allen was rewarded for her brilliant season by being named as her deputy.

The competition’s leading goalkicker, North’s Kelly Barltrop, is a natural fit at full forward after setting a record for most majors kicked in the minor round with 26.

Norwood co-captain Leah Cutting leads the ruck after amassing the most hit outs for the season while Allen, Cavouras, Munyard and hard-running Redlegs Hannah Dunn and Monique Hollick form a formidable midfield unit.

South Adelaide has also had its coach chosen again, with Rick Watts earning the nod for losing just two matches throughout the season en route to a berth in Sunday’s Statewide Super Women’s League Grand Final.

Cheyenne Hammond, winner of last year’s medal for best afield in the Grand Final, is the sole Panther to retain her place in the competition’s best 22 after being named across half-back.

Plenty of versatility has been selected in the interchange bench with tough midfielders Lauren Daniel (North) and Maya Rigter (Sturt) joined by Tiger talls Caitlin Gould and Lucy Bellinger, who can fill a variety of roles.

This year we are providing a pictorial display of a past player. This week is a favourite amongst supporters as he could easily be regarded as one of the most courageous and committed performers to don the jumper commencing as an uncertain league recruit to finish with individual awards and a premiership (and held it up first)… Who am I?

ROOSTERS IN THE AFL

TRAINING TIMES

Monday 20 May | Men 5:30pm, Women 6:30pm at Prospect Oval
Wednesday 22 May | Women from 6pm at Prospect Oval
Friday 24 May | Men 5:30pm at Prospect Oval

The Lottery is our major fundraising activity for the year, with full proceeds going towards the Youth Development Program.
Tickets are $2.00 each and there have only been 1,500 books printed - so your chance of winning is strong!

Contact Reception today for a book!

WE THANK OUR PARTNERS

The North Adelaide Football Club acknowledges the support from our sponsors and partners and encourages all members to show their support for the companies that contribute to the club.

North Adelaide Football Club 2019 Major Partner

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A South Australian owned company that has been proudly servicing the Adelaide business community for the past 30 years as Toshiba’s exclusive provider of Copiers, Printers, MFD’s and Software solutions.